Regional ecosystem details for 5.7.2
| Regional ecosystem | 5.7.2 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | No concern at present |
| Subregion | 4, 6, (2), (6.9), (4.5), (4.3), (7), (5), (4.4) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 365000 ha; Remnant 2021 365000 ha |
| Short description | Acacia shirleyi +/- Eucalyptus thozetiana +/- Acacia aneura +/- Acacia cyperophylla var. cyperophylla low woodland with Triodia spp. on scarps and crests of residuals |
| Structure code | Low Woodland |
| Description | Acacia shirleyi predominates forming a distinct canopy layer with occasional Acacia aneura, Acacia catenulata, Acacia excelsa subsp. angusta and Eucalyptus thozetiana. Scattered shrubs may be present, with Eremophila latrobei and Acacia sibirica the most frequent but rarely form a distinct layer. The ground layer is sparse, or occasionally dominated by an open layer of Triodia spp. hummock grasses. Forbs are extremely sparse. Occurs on scarp retreats and adjacent crests of dissected tablelands of deeply weathered Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments. Soils very shallow, loamy lithosols and rock. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 24a). |
| Supplementary description | Neldner (1991), 20b (27); Wilson and Purdie (1990a), R1 (20); Turner et al. (1978), R4 (65) |
| Protected areas | Diamantina NP, Goneaway NP, Pullen Pullen SWR, Bladensburg NP, Lark Quarry CP |
| Special values | 5.7.2: Potential habitat for NCA listed species: Nyssanthes longistyla, Ptilotus maconochiei. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Various (storm season / wet season or winter). INTENSITY: Low - moderate. INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Aim to exclude fire by fuel reduction in adjacent vegetation communities where possible. Undertake partial burns when necessary to reduce spinifex (and other) fuel loads and protect against severe wildfire. Burn with high soil moisture (i.e., after rain/storms) or in winter to reduce Triodia spp. dominance where necessary. ISSUES: To manage the spread of the highly flammable Triodia spp., winter and/or wet/storm season fire can be used. Note some Acacias can be fire sensitive (e.g., A. shirleyi, A. aneura) and may be killed by high intensity fires. Winter burns may favour shrubs over Triodia spp. and thus change the ground layer composition over time. Due to the sparse nature of the spinifex in these ecosystems, there is rarely enough fuel load to burn. |
| Comments | 5.7.2: Winton plateau, Goneaway tableland. |
1 Estimated extent is from version 13 pre-clearing and 2021 remnant regional ecosystem mapping. Figures are rounded for simplicity. For more precise estimates, including breakdowns by tenure and other themes see remnant vegetation in Queensland.
